Our justice system has been very much to the fore in recent weeks, with one case in particular taking up far too much space in our media.

But media reports of court proceedings have been with us since newspapers began such as this report from  The Daylesford Mercury and Express on  Tuesday 31 August 1869:

In the Police Court yesterday before Mr Webster P.M., that well-known character McGrath was charged with being drunk.  Sergeant Whelan said he arrested the Prisoner in the Catholic Church where he found him drunk, decked out with wattle branches, having a stick by his side as a sword and behaving excitedly.

The prisoner begged his Worship to deal leniently with him as he intended taking the pledge.  He was an old man and very little drink took effect on him.

Mr Webster said he would give him another chance, and let him off with twenty-four hours imprisonment.

… and in the Mount Alexander Mail Wednesday 23 February 1859

DAYLESFORD RACES

These races came off on Thursday and Friday last.  The attendance on both days was good, and the sport was satisfactory on the whole but the unfortunate occurrence, detailed in another column, of the murder of the man Smith, has thrown a gloom over the whole affair. We subjoin a succinct account of the racing.

First Day, Thursday:

The Trial Stakes of 30 sovs, was won easily by Mr. Mahony’s Prince Patrick.

For the Town Plate of 50 sovs, Marradoo came in first, Rifleman a good second, Black Girl a long way in the rear.  The rider of Black Girl entered a protest against Marrndoo’s rider for having crossed him before he was the required distance in the lead, thereby endangering his life against a tree about fifty yards from the Grand Stand at the start, This being proved, the stakes were given to Rifleman.

A Hack Race for a saddle and bridle, value £10, was won by Mr. King’s Spanker, easily.

The Booth-Keepers’ Gift of 10 sovs, entrance added, was won by Fanny, after a good struggle ; the second heat winning by about half a head.

Second Day, Friday.

Ladies’ Purse, heats, won by Mr. King’s Wombat, (2 1 1) heating Prince Patrick (1 2 2).

For a Hack Race of 10 sovs, Mr. Maggott’s Jeannette came in first, but being a trained horse, was pronounced disqualified, and the stakes were declared for Mr Cruickshank’s Corkscrew.

A Hurdle Race for 50, sovs, fell to Mr. Wilson’s Rifleman beating Mr. Brown’s Pop goes the Weasel, and Mr. Ragg’s Young Jack.

The sports concluded with a Hack Hurdle Race for 30 sovs. It was won by Mr. Coffin’s Don Carlo.

On Friday evening, a race dinner was given at King’s Wombat Hotel, and passed off well.

From the Daylesford and District Historical Society.  https://daylesfordmuseum.net/